Fire-alarm system



March 12, 1929.

D. F. QUIGLEY 1,705,227

FIRE ALARM SYSTEM Filed Feb 16, 1928 frnz- Patented Mar. 12, 1929.

UNITED STA-TES DANIEL F. QUIGLEY, F BANGOR, MAINE.

FIRE-ALA SYSTEM.

Application led February 16, 1928. Serial No. 254,732.

This invention relates to fire alarm systems and more particularly to acircuit closing element for an electrical alarmsystem. An importantobject ofthe mventionis to provide a device of this character which maybe very readily and cheaply .produced and is readily installed andwhlch, when 1nstalled, will have more or less the appearance of anordinary electric light globe, so

that it is not unsightly in appearance. a

A further object of the invention is to provide a switch element forelectrlcally operated fire alarm systems having means auginentingdangerous increases o f temperature to insure a promptand immediateoperation of the alarm and rapid closing of the switch.

A further object of the invention 1s to produce a device of thischaracter .whlch may be housed so that it is normally hidden from viewand in which the construction 1s such thatl the housingf'may be made ofreadlly inflammable material, so that 1n event of lcontact of flametherewith, this coyer -w1ll act as an agent, promoting the rapidity ofclosure of the switch. l

These and other/objects I attain by .the construction shown in theaccompanying drawing, wherein for the purpose of lllustration is yshowna preferred embodiment of my invention and wherein 'Figure 1 is a sideelevatlon of a c1rcu1t closer for automatic electrical fire alarmsconstructed in accordance with my invention, the-cover being shown insection;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal -sectlonal view through the circuit closer;

Figure 3 is a section on the llne 3-3 of Figure 2.

Referring now more particularly -to the drawing, the numeral 10generally designates a base of insulation having extended therefrom atone side a pair of bars 11 which, when subjected to variationsin/temperature, fiex, and when heated, approach one another. Carried bythe outer en s of these bars are contact elements 12l which areadjustably mounted in the bars, as indicated at 13, so that the extentthrough which the bars must flex may be adjusted. These bars referablyhave their inner ends reduced an extended through the material of thebase, so that they project and form the contact tongues 14 forengagement with an ordinary connection socket 15.

The outer face of the base or that face from which the bars 11 projectis provided `with means for mounting fuses or matches 16, therepreferably being three matches, one arranged between the bars and theothers arrangedvat the outer faces thereof. These matches are in closeproximity to the bars, so that when burning, the heat thereof will bereadily transmitted to the bars.

The base 10 forms a means for supporting a cover 17 housing the bars 11and matches 16. This cover is perforated, asindicated at 18, to permitready circulation of. air therethrough and is preferably formed of somereadily inflammable material, such as cellu-v loid. It will be obviousthat the circuit may be installed employing the ordinary plug fixturesand that the devices, when applied thereto, will have substantially theappearance of an electric lightglobe. W'hen Sub'- jected to intenseheat, this heat vn'll cause flexing of the bars l() and closure of thecircuit. In miany instances, particularl where direct contact of flameoccurs, the ses or matches 16 and cover 17 will become ignited,generating an intense heatfwhich willcause the action of the bars to besubstantially instautaneous.

Since the construction hereinbefore ,set forth is ca able of a certainrange of change and modi cation without materiall departing from thespirit of the invention, I do not limit myself to such specificstructure except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim 1. A switch element for electrical fire alarm systems comprisinga base having thermo-metallic barsl adapted to' be connected in thecircuit of the fire alarm and provided with contact elements engagingwhen the bars are heated, andmeans asso-- .ciated with said base andoperative under extreme temperatures for producing flame in directcontact with said bars.

2. A switch element vfor electrical re alarm systems comprising a basehaving thermmetallic bars adapted to be connected in the circuit of thefire alarm and provided with contact elements engaging when the bars areheated, and means associated with said base and operative under extremetemperatures for producing flame in direct Contact with said barscomprising matches carried by said base and substan-` tially parallelingthe bars.

3. A switch element for, electrical lire alarm systems comprising a basehaving thermo-metallic bars adapted to be con- 'nectecl in the circuitof the fire alarm and provided with contact elements engaging when thebars are heated,` and means associated with said baise and operativeunder extreme temperature :for producing flame in direct Contact withsaid bers comprising en inflammable cover carried by the base andsurrounding and concealingsnid bars.

alarm systems comprising a. base having thermo-metallic bars adapted -tobe connected in the circuit of Jche fire alarm and provided 'withContact elements engaging when the bars are heat'ed, and 'Ineens4associated with said base and operative under extreme temperatures 'forproducing flame in direct Contact with said bars, theends of said barsbeing extended through the base to form tongues for engagement in a plugfixture.

6. A switch element for electrical lire, alarm systems including a base,a thermometallic bar Acarried 'thereby and -flexing when heated toelecei'ically engage n Contact, and means associated with 'said base andoperative under extreme temperatures for roducing ame in direct Contactwith said In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my nennen n oUiGLnYrsignature.

